So, it’s quite surprising that according to the Energy Savings Trust, around 40% of UK homes have no room thermostat – the simplest form of temperature control. TACMA suggests that a household can cut its carbon emissions by an estimated 500kg each year, just by using a room thermostat with boiler interlock. What’s more, using a room thermostat to turn down temperatures by 1C can reduce space heating consumption by up to 10%, according to the government’s Good Practice Guide (GPG) 302.
Room thermostats can reduce energy usage by simply switching the heating system on and off as required to limit fuel consumption, reduce comfort temperatures and prevent rooms from overheating.
Part L of the Building Regulations (2006) states that households must have separate temperature control in each heating zone (ie. living or sleeping area). This can be achieved using room or programmable room thermostats in all zones; a room or programmable room thermostat in the main zone and TRVs on individual radiators; or a mixture of these options.
Understanding room thermostats
A room thermostat can have the biggest impact on a boiler’s efficiency and every domestic central heating system should have one. Installers should always check that one is fitted when servicing or replacing a boiler.
A room thermostat will sense the air temperature in a room and once it falls below the thermostat setting, it will call for heat. Once this set temperature has been reached, the thermostat will stop calling for heat and the heating system is then turned off.
The room thermostat works in conjunction with the boiler’s timer, so it will maintain the air temperature to a set level, but only when the heating circuit is already timed to be on.
The latest thermostat models have digital temperature displays, setback features and user-adjustable minimum/maximum temperature settings, all designed to make it as easy as possible for householders to control their room temperatures, according to their lifestyle.
For even greater control and higher energy savings, it’s worth recommending a programmable room thermostat, either as an upgrade or if a property has no room thermostat and the boiler doesn’t have a timer. A programmer and room thermostat combined, it provides both time and temperature control in one unit.
A programmable room thermostat will allow householders to set what time their heating system comes on and what temperature it should reach to suit their living patterns. It can automatically provide different temperatures at different times of the day and week. This flexibility in temperature and time settings means the desired comfort levels are achieved throughout the day but with minimum fuel consumption, providing greater energy savings than a standard room thermostat.
Ease of retrofit
A growing range of wireless retrofit room and programmable room thermostats are now available, offering big pluses for installers and users.
Positioning is more flexible, as it’s not restricted to areas accessible by cable runs and wireless models are also much quicker and easier to fit, as there is no need to lift carpets and floorboards, and no brick or plasterwork to chase out. For householders, there is no unsightly surface wiring and no damage caused to wallcoverings, fabrics and furnishings during the installation process. When fitting wireless programmable room thermostats, there is also the added bonus for installers of only having to fit and commission one unit, rather than two. Location, location, location
Typically, only one room or programmable room thermostat is used to control the main heating zone, but if householders would like to have different temperatures in different rooms, installers can also recommend TRVs for individual radiators. However, its important that TRVs are set to prevent local overheating and that they’re not installed in the same room as the thermostat, in a kitchen or in rooms with supplementary heating, such as gas fires.
The best location for a room thermostat is in a regularly heated room with a free flow of air around the unit. This could be the hall, lounge or main bedroom. The thermostat must be wired to interlock with the boiler and pump to prevent the boiler from firing when there is no demand for heat. Staying in control
Temperature control is essential, easy and inexpensive, making it a simple sell for installers. Room or programmable room thermostats can help householders to reduce their carbon emissions, energy use and fuel bills, and with wireless retrofit controls now widely available, it’s an easy installation too.
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